Trolling motor propulsion unit support shaft

A trolling motor and underwater sonar system comprising:

• a lower propulsion unit;
• an inner shaft extending along an axis and having a first exterior surface, a first end fixed to the lower propulsion unit and a second opposite end;
• an outer shaft having a second exterior surface and a hollow interior receiving the inner shaft;
• a passageway formed between the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface;
• a sonar transducer secured to the lower propulsion unit;
• a sonar control and display unit;
• and
• at least one signal transmitting line extending from the sonar transducer, and through the passageway to the control and display unit.

A trolling motor system comprising:

• a lower propulsion unit;
• an inner shaft extending along an axis and having a first exterior surface, a first end fixed to the lower propulsion unit and a second opposite end;
• and
• an outer shaft having a second exterior surface and a hollow interior receiving inner shaft, the second exterior surface having a non-circular cross-sectional shape.

A trolling motor system comprising:

• a lower propulsion unit;
• a mounting mechanism adapted to be coupled to a boat;
• and
• a first shaft extending at least partially between the mounting mechanism and the lower propulsion unit, the first shaft being movably coupled to the mounting mechanism so as to permit the lower propulsion unit to be raised and lowered, the first shaft having a non-circular cross-sectional shape.

A trolling motor system comprising:

• a lower propulsion unit;
• a mounting mechanism adapted to be coupled to a boat;
• and
• a shaft having a non-circular cross-sectional shape and extending at least partially between the mounting mechanism and the lower propulsion unit, wherein the mounting mechanism is configured to support the shaft outwardly beyond a top profile of the boat.

A trolling motor system comprising:

• a lower propulsion unit;
• a mounting mechanism adapted to be coupled to a boat having a deck;
• and
• a shaft having a non-circular cross-sectional shape and extending at least partially between the mounting mechanism and the lower propulsion unit, wherein the mounting mechanism and the shaft are configured such that at least a portion of the shaft vertically extends above the deck of the boat.